Newborns First Week Home

What To Expect On Your Baby’s First Week Home

A newborns first week is both tremendously thrilling and very exhausting. So much is happening around you, and this can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many new things you need to learn about taking care of your precious newborn. But it’s vital that you remember you’re not expected to be perfect at everything immediately. So take everything in your stride.

To help you enjoy this new experience, here’s a heads-up on what to expect during your baby’s first week home and how to deal with it.

Feeding Your Baby

Newborns need to consume small amounts of milk regularly because their stomachs are so small. On average, they consume about 1-3 ounces every two to three hours in those first few weeks with a newborn. But if you’re breastfeeding, you are likely to find your baby breastfeeds on demand and doesn’t stick to a schedule. Some of the common indications your baby may be hungry are crying, licking their lips, and sucking on their hands.

Occasionally Your Baby Will Cry

Crying is your baby’s way of communicating whatever they are feeling. Whether they are hungry, have a dirty nappy, are uncomfortable, or sleepy, your baby crying is something you will have to get used to. However, there are different levels to a crying baby. So if no matter what you do, your baby won’t stop crying, it is best to contact your pediatrician.

Dirty Diapers – Pooping And Peeing

On your baby’s first day or two, they should pass a tar-like substance known as meconium. In the first week home with a newborn, you can expect the color of the poop to change to green and yellow. Because formula takes a little longer to digest than breastmilk, breastfed babies often poop more than formula-fed babies do. When it comes to pee, at least five wet diapers per day are required for a baby who is breastfed. A newborn who is fed formula may have up to 10 each day.

Newborn Sleep Patterns

On average, about 16- 18 hours of sleep a day is what you should expect in the first few weeks with a newborn. These will usually consist of small naps as they wake up regularly to feed. Naps are generally 2-4 hours at a time, and if they sleep longer, it’s recommended that they are woken up to feed. Baby’s usually develop their own sleeping patterns. So after a few days, you should start to see a routine developing. Always ensure that your baby is placed in a safe place to sleep. Avoid couches and beds as this puts them at risk of rolling over and falling.

Spit Up, Burps And Hiccups

In the first few weeks with a newborn, some may need assistance to burp, which can be done using various techniques. If your baby doesn’t burp, it’s very likely that they will throw up, so ensure that you get them to burp after a feed. 

Spit-up is another of the feeding niggles you will have to deal with. This is normal and is frequently due to how much additional air the infant inhales while being fed. Finally, no need to worry if your baby has hiccups. For newborns, hiccups are common and don’t hurt them.

Bathing Your Newborn

Trying to bathe this little being in your baby’s first week home can make one nervous, but you eventually get the hang of it and begin to enjoy it. In your newborns first week you won’t need to bathe them every day. Bathing your newborn too often can dry out their skin. 

Additionally, in the first day or two, you should allow the vernix caseosa to stay on the baby’s skin as long as possible. This substance has all the goodness needed to help your newborn’s skin from drying. On the days you don’t bathe your baby, a sponge bath with warm water will be sufficient to clean them.

Take Care Of Yourself

The first few days after your baby is born, all everyone will be focusing on is your baby, but it’s also essential for you to take care of yourself. A lot happened to your body in the last nine months. So now your body must heal and return to what it was before the pregnancy. You will have to take care of your well-being as your health is an important factor in caring for your baby.

Mental Care

Mentally your first few weeks or even months will feel like an emotional rollercoaster. This is totally normal for all new parents. This is because of postpartum hormones, and adjusting will take a while. You’re also likely to not sleep well during this time, which could also affect your mood.

If you’re feeling down during this time and feel like crying, it’s ok to do so. Additionally, share your feelings with your partner or someone you trust. However, if you find your mind is plagued by disturbing thoughts, seek help from a professional. You are not alone in this, and many women before you have been right where you are. Postpartum depression is possible after delivery, and many resources are available to help.

Physical Care

After delivery, all birth parents should anticipate feeling sore and worn out. Your muscles likely ache from hours of labor and pushing if you delivered vaginally. In addition, the surgery and medical procedures of a cesarean section will undoubtedly hurt even more. Make sure to take your painkillers as prescribed, avoid heavy lifting, and stay off your feet as much as possible.

Take care of any stitches you may have. Moving too fast can open up these stitches, so avoid doing this. If you’re experiencing back pain, this could be linked to your posture. Try not to hunch over while feeding, and ensure that you change your baby at a height that doesn’t require you to bend too much. You might also notice swollen feet, and this is usually a sign of you being on your feet too much. Try resting your feet to get the swelling down.

In The End

It’s essential that you try to enjoy these first few weeks with a newborn as they go by so fast. Make as many memories as you can, and also remember it’s ok to make mistakes. You will be a pro at the end of these few weeks and probably give other new parents advice.